NEWS

Japan failed to reach the second round of the FIFA Futsal World Cup after suffering a 9-1 defeat at the hands of Russia in their fourth and final match in the group stage in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday.

Japan finished third in Group A with a 2-0-2 win-draw-loss record, behind hosts Brazil (4-0-0) and Russia (3-0-1), who advanced to the next round. Cuba (1-0-3) were fourth and the Solomon Islands (0-0-4) ended at the bottom of the group. Brazil beat Cuba 9-0 on the day.
Tied on points but behind on goal difference, Japan had to beat Russia to advance to the next round. However, Japan faced a fierce attack from the Russians.
After Dmitry Prudnikov opened the scoring in the fourth minute with the first of his two strikes, Damir Khamadiev helped widen the lead by firing home in the 8th and 10th minutes before completing a hat trick with in the 21st minute.
Trailing 7-0, Japan pulled one back through Yuki Kanayama in the 26th minute.
Japan coach Sergio Sapo commented, “Our team was young and inexperienced, but we gave everything we had against our opponents, who included title contenders Brazil and Russia. We came up short and couldn’t reach the next round, which was our objective. But I am very proud of our players.”